Methods and systems for infrastructure-monitoring control

ABSTRACT

Methods and systems for infrastructure-monitoring control are provided. An example method for providing a visual representation of system events occurring in a system monitored by an infrastructure-monitoring control system includes the infrastructure-monitoring control system providing, in substantially real-time, a visual representation of at least one system event occurring in the system, wherein the visual representation comprises a color-coded visual representation depicting the at least one system event throughout the system. The method further includes the infrastructure-monitoring control system storing the visual representation. Still further, the method includes the infrastructure-monitoring control system then providing the visual representation after a given amount of time since the at least one system event.

PRIORITY

The present U.S. patent application is a continuation of copending U.S.patent application Ser. No. 14/206,505, filed Mar. 12, 2014, whichclaims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/776,805, filedMar. 12, 2013, of which all are herein expressly incorporated byreference.

BACKGROUND

Unless otherwise indicated herein, the materials described in thissection are not prior art to the claims in this application and are notadmitted to be prior art by inclusion in this section.

Various infrastructure real-time monitoring systems exist on the markettoday. These infrastructure monitoring systems provide real-time visualstatus of equipment in an infrastructure system. For instance, amongstother equipment, infrastructure monitoring systems may provide real-timevisual status of analog values and alarms of power, HVAC (heating,ventilation, and air conditioning), data center, uninterruptable power,security, and fire equipment of a facility. In addition, theseinfrastructure-monitoring systems may store event logs for systemevents. For instance, in an example, a system-wide event log may bestored in list and data graph format. This system-wide event log mayinclude time-stamped analog trends and critical alarms that occurredthroughout the system. Further, this system-wide event log in list anddata graph format may be used for future analysis of equipment faults,failures or sequence of events.

SUMMARY

In one example aspect, a method for providing a visual representation ofsystem events occurring in a system monitored by aninfrastructure-monitoring control system is provided. The methodincludes the infrastructure-monitoring control system providing, insubstantially real-time, a visual representation of at least one systemevent occurring in the system, wherein the visual representationcomprises a color-coded visual representation depicting the at least onesystem event. Further, the method includes the infrastructure-monitoringcontrol system storing the visual representation. Still further, themethod includes the infrastructure-monitoring control system providingthe visual representation after a given amount of time since the atleast one system event.

In another aspect, another method for providing a visual representationof system events occurring in a system monitored by aninfrastructure-monitoring control system is provided. The methodincludes the infrastructure-monitoring control system providing, insubstantially real-time, a visual representation of at least one systemevent occurring in the system, wherein the visual representation depictsthe at least one system event. Further, the method includes theinfrastructure-monitoring control system storing the visualrepresentation. Still further, the method includes theinfrastructure-monitoring control system providing the visualrepresentation after a given amount of time since the at least onesystem event.

In still another example, an infrastructure-monitoring control system isprovided. The infrastructure-monitoring control system includes acommunication interface, a memory configured to store programinstructions, and a processor. The processor is capable of executing theprogram instructions to: (i) provide, in substantially real-time, avisual representation of at least one system event occurring in thesystem, wherein the visual representation depicts the at least onesystem event; (ii) store the visual representation; and (iii) providethe visual representation after a given amount of time since the atleast one system event.

The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be inany way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments,and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and featureswill become apparent by reference to the figures and the followingdetailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is an illustration of an example infrastructure system, accordingto an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of an example infrastructure-monitoringcontrol system, according to an example embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating an example method, according to anexample embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 4A-1, 4A-2, and 4A-3 depict an example screen shot of visualrepresentations of the infrastructure-monitoring control system,according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 4B-1, 4B-2, and 4B-3 depict an example screen shot of visualrepresentations of the infrastructure-monitoring control system,according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 4C-1, 4C-2, and 4C-3 depict an example screen shot of visualrepresentations of the infrastructure-monitoring control system,according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is an example screen shot of an example display of theinfrastructure-monitoring control system, according to an exampleembodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to theaccompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings,similar symbols typically identify similar components, unless contextdictates otherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in thedetailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting.Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made,without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matterpresented herein. It will be readily understood that the aspects of thepresent disclosure, as generally described herein, and illustrated inthe figures, can be arranged, substituted, combined, separated, anddesigned in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which areexplicitly contemplated herein.

1. Overview

Infrastructure-monitoring systems may be a beneficial tool for buildingand facility managers to monitor equipment activity in their facility.For instance, infrastructure-monitoring systems may monitor equipmentinfrastructure equipment (e.g., power, energy, cooling, data center,security, HVAC, and fire equipment), and this may help building andfacility managers keep a pulse on what is happening in their facility.

Various infrastructure real-time monitoring systems exist on the markettoday. Amongst other equipment, the infrastructure-monitoring systemsprovide real-time visual status of power, HVAC, data center,uninterruptable power, security, and fire equipment of a facility. Theseinfrastructure-monitoring systems may display visual representations insubstantially real-time as system events occur. In addition, ininfrastructure-monitoring systems, system-wide event logs, analogtrending and critical alarms may be time stamped and stored intext-based event logs (e.g., list and data graph format) for futureanalysis of the equipment and system events. A building or facilitymanager may review these stored text-based logs to review equipmentfaults, equipment failures and/or sequence of system events.

Although this text-based stored information may be useful for analysisof system events, this text-based list format lacks the comprehensivevisual benefit provided by the monitoring system in real-time. Inexisting infrastructure-monitoring control systems, the visualrepresentation of the system event or events is only useful during anevent if a user (e.g., building or facility manager) happens to bewatching the visual representation in real-time. However, once thevisual representation of an event or sequence of events is complete, thevisual/graphical representation of what happened is lost, and the systemevent(s) can then only be analyzed through the text-based event logswith time stamps.

In accordance with the present disclosure, an infrastructure-monitoringcontrol system may store representations of system events occurring inthe infrastructure system for later viewing, reproduction and/or systemanalysis. In one arrangement, all of the system events may be stored.Alternatively, only certain designated system events may be stored.Beneficially, this disclosed storage may allow a user of theinfrastructure-monitoring control system to view, after the systemevent(s), the visual representation of recorded events, analog valuesand alarms as if they were watching the event(s) unfolding in real-timeat the infrastructure-monitoring control system. Thus, the methods andsystems described herein can facilitate dynamic visual representationplayback of system events monitored by the infrastructure-monitoringcontrol system.

An example method in accordance with the present disclosure may involvethe infrastructure-monitoring control system providing, in substantiallyreal-time, a visual representation of at least one system eventoccurring in the system, wherein the visual representation comprises adescriptive indicator (e.g., color-coded, shaded, highlighted, etc.)visual representation depicting the at least one system event, andpreferably a plurality of interrelated system events. Further, theexample method may involve the infrastructure-monitoring control systemstoring the visual representation. Still further, the method may involvethe infrastructure-monitoring control system then providing the visualrepresentation after a given amount of time since the at least onesystem event. The given amount of time may be any amount of time afterthe system event, such as minutes, hours, days, or months after thesystem event. As just one example, the method may involve the storage ofa control system operation experiencing a fault and what system eventsoccurred either immediately prior to the fault and/or immediately afterthe fault. With such a disclosed system, the method would allow a visualrepresentation to be recalled from a data storage and replayed one ormore times to understand what fault occurred, why the fault occurred,and how the system responded to this fault condition. As those of skillin the art will recognize, various other control system events can bestored, and then replayed and reviewed.

The disclosed infrastructure-monitoring control system addresses theaforementioned problems of existing infrastructure-monitoring controlsystems by allowing a user to view the visual representations both inreal-time and after the system event or events have occurred.Beneficially, storing these visual representations of system events mayfacilitate dynamic event playback of network events and networkincidents. Being able to store and then allow for dynamic event playbackmay enable a user (i.e., system owner, system operator, maintenancestaff or service technician/engineer) to view a visual representation ofa particular event or sequence of events after the event(s) occurred.Thus, a user may graphically see and visually analyze this particularevent or sequence of events, rather than merely analyzing the eventafter the fact through certain known forms of text-based event logs andother static type of information.

In an example, the playback system may display an exact or substantiallysimilar copy of what the control system would have shown in real-timeduring a particular operating system time span, such as during a faultcondition. In another example, the playback system may display an exactor substantially similar copy of the operation of a specific portion ofthe control system (e.g., a network of back up servers) or a specificcomponent (e.g., only one of the servers in the network) of the controlsystem would have shown in real-time during a particular operatingsystem time span, such as during a fault condition or immediately priorto a fault condition. Such a system allows for the efficientconfiguration, monitoring, and diagnosing of network events and networkcomponents. With such a system, all or only certain selected networkcomponents can be graphically managed and maintained either locally orremotely.

2. Example Infrastructure-Monitoring Control System

FIG. 1 is an illustration of an example infrastructure system in whichthe proposed methods and systems can be implemented. It should beunderstood, however, that numerous variations from the arrangement andfunctions shown are possible while remaining within the scope and spiritof the claims. For instance, elements may be added, removed, combined,distributed, substituted, re-positioned, re-ordered, or otherwisechanged. Further, where this description refers to functions beingcarried out by an entity such as an infrastructure-monitoring controlsystem, it will be understood that the entity can carry out thefunctions by itself or with the assistance of other entities, andthrough application of hardware, firmware and/or software logic. Forinstance, the entity may include a processor programmed withinstructions to implement the functions described. Still further, itshould be understood that all of the discussion above is considered partof this detailed disclosure.

The system 100 includes an infrastructure-monitoring control system 102and infrastructure equipment 104-114 monitored by theinfrastructure-monitoring control system 102. In general, theinfrastructure-monitoring control system 102 may monitor any equipmentassociated with building operation. For instance, in this example,infrastructure-monitoring control system 102 monitors generators 104,programmable logic controllers (PLCs) 106, transfer switches 108,fire-pump controllers 110, uninterruptible power supplies (UPSs) 112,and battery-monitoring equipment 114. Infrastructure-monitoring controlsystem 102 may monitor other equipment as well, including withoutlimitation protective relays, surge-protection equipment, networkingequipment, HVAV equipment, fuel systems, flywheels, servers and virtualmachines, CRAC units, power distribution units, paralleling gear, GPSreceivers, load banks, power quality meters, breakers, sequencerecorders, security equipment, fire alarms, branch circuits, stationbatteries, DC equipment, and/or other equipment. In this illustratedarrangement, the infrastructure-monitoring control system 102 is locatedon site of the monitored equipment. However, alternatively, theinfrastructure-monitoring control system 102 may be located remotelysuch as at a remotely located control center.

The infrastructure-monitoring control system 102 may be configured tocarry out various functions of the disclosed methods. FIG. 2 is asimplified block diagram of the infrastructure-monitoring control system102 showing some of the components that such aninfrastructure-monitoring control system 102 may include to facilitateimplementation of the present methods. As shown in FIG. 2, theinfrastructure-monitoring control system 102 may include a processor202, data storage 204, and communication interface 206, all of which maybe coupled together by a system bus or other mechanism 208.

Each of these components of the infrastructure-monitoring control system102 may take various forms. For instance, processor 202 could be one ormore general-purpose microprocessors and/or dedicated signal processors.Data storage 204 could be volatile and/or nonvolatile memory, such asflash memory. The infrastructure-monitoring control system 102 maycommunicate with entities of the infrastructure system 100, such asequipment 104-114. Data storage 204 holds a set of logic (e.g., computerinstructions) executable by processor 202 to carry out the variousinfrastructure-monitoring control system functions described herein andperhaps other functions. Data storage 204 may also have stored thereinvisual representations of system events and/or data corresponding tovisual representations of system events. In some embodiments, one ormore of the infrastructure-monitoring control system 102 functions canbe carried out by firmware and/or hardware. Further, communicationinterface 208 may include or be connected to a display 210 (e.g.,computer monitor). In an example, the infrastructure-monitoring controlsystem 102 may display visual representations of system events ondisplay 210. In one preferred arrangement, the display may comprise asoft touch operator display that provides for the display of variousinteractive icons allowing a user to replay certain stored operatingsystem events thereby allowing interactive playback previous systemevents.

3. Example Methods for an Infrastructure-Monitoring Control System

FIG. 3 is a flow chart depicting functions that can be carried out inthe disclosed process in practice, in accordance with an exampleembodiment. The method 300 of FIG. 3 provides for providing a visualrepresentation of stored system events occurring in a system monitoredby an infrastructure-monitoring control system both in substantiallyreal-time during the system events and after a given amount of timesince the occurrence of the system events.

As shown in FIG. 3, at block 302, the method involves aninfrastructure-monitoring control system providing, in substantiallyreal-time, a visual representation of at least one system eventoccurring in the system. In one preferred arrangement, the visualrepresentation comprises a visual representation depicting the at leastone system event throughout the system wherein certain descriptiveindicators are used in the visual representation. As just one example,in a preferred arrangement, the visual representation comprises acolor-coded visual representation depicting the at least one systemevent throughout the system.

At block 304, the method then involves the infrastructure-monitoringcontrol system storing the visual representation. At block 306, themethod involves the infrastructure-monitoring control system providingthe visual representation after a given amount of time since the atleast one system event has been stored. Method 300 shown in FIG. 3presents an embodiment of a method that could be carried out byinfrastructure-monitoring control system 102 of FIG. 2, or components ofthe infrastructure-monitoring control system 102, for example.

It should be understood that for this and other processes and methodsdisclosed herein, the flowchart shows functionality and operation of onepossible implementation of present embodiments. In this regard, eachblock may represent a module, a segment, or a portion of program code,which includes one or more instructions executable by a processor orcomputing device for implementing specific logical functions or steps inthe process. The program code may be stored on any type of computerreadable medium, for example, such as a storage device including a diskor hard drive. The computer readable medium may include non-transitorycomputer readable medium, for example, such as computer-readable mediathat stores data for short periods of time like register memory,processor cache and random access memory (RAM). The computer readablemedium may also include non-transitory media, such as secondary orpersistent long term storage, like read only memory (ROM), optical ormagnetic disks, or compact-disc read only memory (CD-ROM), for example.The computer readable media may also be any other volatile ornon-volatile storage systems, or other articles of manufacture. Thecomputer readable medium may be considered a computer readable storagemedium, for example, or a tangible storage device.

In addition, for the method 300 and other processes and methodsdisclosed herein, each block may represent circuitry that is wired toperform the specific logical functions in the process. Alternativeimplementations are included within the scope of the example embodimentsof the present disclosure in which functions may be executed out oforder from that shown or discussed, including substantially concurrentor in reverse order, depending on the functionality involved, as wouldbe understood by those reasonably skilled in the art.

Returning to FIG. 3, at block 302, the infrastructure-monitoring controlsystem 102 may provide, in substantially real-time, a visualrepresentation of at least one system event occurring in the system 100.In an example embodiment, the visual representation comprises acolor-coded visual representation depicting the at least one systemevent throughout the system 100.

For example, in one situation, the system 102 would allow a user tovisualize a fault via color where a protective relay signals that thereis an undesired bus differential within the system. Such a differentialmay turn the affected area of the system from one particular color(e.g., green) to a particular warning color (e.g., red). This wouldallow the user of the system to take notice of this undesired butdifferential and then visual how the system is impacted by such a fault.In another example, the system may be used detect not just faultconditions but also other operating conditions. As just one example, thesystem may be used to detect a poor power quality within the system. Thesystem may react to such a situation by designating the impacted area ofthe system turn a different color (e.g., yellow) based on how good orhow bad the power quality is on that particular line. This would allowthe user to estimate how risky is the power path is for certainequipment on that line and therefore would also allow the user toestimate any negative impact on the equipment over a certain period oftime.

The at least one system event may generally be any system event or anycomponent event that may be useful for a user monitoring the system 100to be aware of These system events may span, for example, from normaloperation of system equipment to equipment failure. In an example, theat least one system event may be a power-quality problem occurring inthe infrastructure system 100. Generally, a power-quality problem may bea power problem manifested in voltage, current, or frequency deviationsthat may result in reduction in expected life, disoperation, and/orfailure of system equipment. As mentioned above, theinfrastructure-monitoring control system 102 may monitor equipment inthe infrastructure system 100, such as building equipment 104-114. Itmay be useful for a user of the infrastructure-monitoring system 102 tobe aware of system events that result in reduction in expected life,disoperation, or failure of system equipment 104-114.

The visual representation of the at least one system event may visuallydepict the at least one system event occurring in the system. In anexample, a system event or events may propagate through theinfrastructure system 100. For instance, a first system event may leadto a second system event, which may in turn lead to a third systemevent, and so forth. For example, a fire in a building may lead to anequipment failure or an alarm, which may in turn lead to furtherequipment failures and/or alarms. Beneficially, these visualrepresentations may demonstrate propagation of the at least one systemevent through the entire system 100. These visual representations may bevaluable both in real-time and for future analysis. A user of theinfrastructure-monitoring system 102 may view these events in real-time,and having access to these visual representations may help the userrespond to system events in order to control or fix the system events.For instance, a user of the infrastructure-monitoring control system 102viewing the visual representation may determine that given equipment isin a critical state or setting off system alarms, and based on thevisual representation the user may determine which steps to take aremost appropriate for the given system event. Knowing and graphicallyseeing in real-time which equipment is affected by the at least onesystem event may be extremely useful for a user to take appropriatecorrective action whether by equipment upgrade, replacement,maintenance, or otherwise.

In an example, the infrastructure-monitoring control system 102 providesthe visual representation on a monitor, such as display 210, of theinfrastructure-monitoring control system 102. Therefore, a user of theinfrastructure-monitoring control system 102 may watch these events insubstantially real-time on display 210.

In an example embodiment, infrastructure-monitoring control system 102can provide descriptive indicator for certain system events. As just oneexample of such indicators, the infrastructure-monitoring control system102 can rate system events on a scale having a plurality of levels(e.g., criticality levels). For instance, in an example embodiment, theinfrastructure-monitoring control system 102 may rate events on a scaleof 1-3, where “level 1” corresponds to normal operation, “level 2”corresponds to abnormal operation, and “level 3” corresponds toemergency operation or equipment failure. Additional or fewer levels onthe scale are possible as well (e.g., the system 102 may rate events ona scale of 1-10, wherein the events range from normal operation tofailure).

Further, in this example embodiment, the infrastructure-monitoringcontrol system 102 may associate each event level with a color orienteddescriptive indicator. In order to provide a visual representation ofthe system events occurring throughout infrastructure system 100, theinfrastructure-monitoring control system 102 may determine, for each ofthe at least one system event, a level of the system event. Further,providing the visual representation of these system events may theninvolve, for each of the system events, depicting the system event witha given color associated with the determined level of the system event.Having a plurality of color-coded event levels may beneficially visuallyassist a user of the infrastructure-monitoring equipment 102 determinethe criticality of events occurring throughout the infrastructure system100.

Continuing the example above, “level 1” events corresponding to normaloperation may be associated with the color green; “level 2” eventsassociated with abnormal operation may be associated with the coloryellow; and “level 3” events associated with emergency operation may beassociated with the color red. Therefore, in a given visualrepresentation, equipment operating normally may appear green, equipmentoperating abnormally may appear yellow, and equipment operating inemergency mode or failed equipment may appear red. Other descriptiveindicators/colors and color associations are possible as well.

These color-coded visual representations may provide a visualrepresentation that indicated the severity and criticality of systemevents as they occur in real-time. For instance, when a system eventoccurs, the color-coded visual representation may depict variousequipment operation going from green to yellow to red in real-time. Theuser of the control system 102 may see this color-coded representationin real-time, and the user may use this information to appropriatelyrespond to the system events.

FIGS. 4A-4C depict example screen shots of a display ofinfrastructure-monitoring control system 102 providing a visualrepresentation of at least one system event. In particular, FIGS. 4A-1,4A-2, and 4A-3 illustrate screen shot 400, FIGS. 4B-1, 4B-2, and 4B-3illustrate screen shot 402, and FIGS. 4C-1, 4C-2, and 4C-3 illustratescreen shot 404. In these examples, screen shot 400 depicts a visualrepresentation of system events where the events are “level 1” events(i.e., normal operation). Further, screen shot 402 depicts a visualrepresentation of “level 2” events (i.e., abnormal operation). Stillfurther, screen shot 404 depicts a visual representation of “level 3”events (i.e., emergency operation). It should be understood that whileFIGS. 4A-4C depict three example screen shots at various stages duringthe at least one system event, there would be many more screen shotsprovided by the infrastructure monitoring system 102 during the event inreal-time.

As mentioned above, the infrastructure-monitoring system 102 may displaythese visual representations in substantially real-time. While there maybe slight delay due to the infrastructure-monitoring control system 102taking appropriate equipment measurements, the infrastructure-monitoringcontrol system 102 preferably provides these visual representations assoon as possible after identifying the system events. In this way, theuser of the infrastructure-monitoring system 102 may be viewing theevents essentially as the events are occurring in the system 100.Responding to system events may be a highly time-critical matter. Thus,seeing the events unfold in substantially real-time may be important fora user of the infrastructure-monitoring control system 102.

Returning to FIG. 3, at block 304, the infrastructure-monitoring controlsystem 102 may store the visual representation of the at least onesystem event. The infrastructure-monitoring control system 102 may storethe visual representation (e.g., the visual representation of the systemevents provided by the system 102 for system events related to screenshots 400-406) in data storage 204.

In an example, the infrastructure-monitoring control system 102 may beconfigured to store all the visual representations provided by thesystem 102. In this way, a user may be able to review the visualrepresentations at any point during which the infrastructure-monitoringcontrol system 102 was in operation. In an example, theinfrastructure-monitoring control system 102 stores all visualrepresentations of the infrastructure-monitoring control system 102,including visual representations provided during normal operation levelsof the system equipment.

In other examples, the infrastructure-monitoring control system 102 maybe configured to store visual representations in response to detecting atriggering event that prompts the infrastructure-monitoring controlsystem to store the visual representation. Beneficially, only storingthe visual representation upon detecting a triggering event may conservevaluable storage space for the infrastructure-monitoring control system102.

The triggering event may be any appropriate triggering event. In anexample, the triggering event may be a system event of a given level.For example, in the example where the system 102 rates events on a scaleof 1-3, the infrastructure-monitoring control system 102 may beconfigured to beginning storing a visual representation when a systemevent reaches “level 2” event. Further, in an example, the stored visualrepresentation may cover the time period from the beginning of the“level 2” event until the system returns to “level 1” (i.e., normaloperation).

In an example embodiment, the triggering event may user-defined. Thatis, the triggering event may be an event that is associated withuser-defined triggering level. For instance, a user of a firstinfrastructure-monitoring control system may wish to trigger thisstorage upon the occurrence of an event of a first level (e.g., a “level2” event), while another user or a second infrastructure-monitoringcontrol system may wish to trigger this storage only upon the occurrenceof an event of a second level (e.g., a “level 3” event).

Returning to FIG. 3, the infrastructure-monitoring control system 102may then, at block 306, provide the visual representation after a givenamount of time since the at least one system event. Generally, theinfrastructure-monitoring control system 102 is configured to providethe visual representation after the system 102 has already provided thevisual representation in substantially real-time. In a particularexample, the given amount of time since the at least one system event isat least one hour after the at least one system event. However, thegiven amount of time may be any amount of time after the system event orevents has occurred. For instance, this given amount of time may beminutes after the event, hours after the event, days after the event, ormonths after the event. It should be understood that more or less timeafter the event is possible as well.

A user of the infrastructure-monitoring control system 102 may wish toview the visual representation after the event has occurred in order toanalyze the at least one system event. For instance, it may be useful toanalyze how the system event or events propagated through the system100. As another example, it may be useful to analyze the response ormeasures that were taken in order to contain or fix the system event(s),and to analyze whether those measures were successful or unsuccessful.Other reasons for view the visual representation after the systemevent(s) are possible as well.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example screen shot 500 of a display ofinfrastructure-monitoring control system 102. Screen shot 500 is anexample view of a dynamic infrastructure playback feature of the system102. A user may interact with such a playback feature via communicationinterface 206 (which may include, for example, a touch screen, keyboardand/or mouse). In accordance with an example embodiment, a user mayselect various playback options related to the stored visualrepresentations. Different playback options may include, for example,rewind, fast forward, play, pause, slow motion, jump to next event, andjump to previous event.

In an example, a user may click on an event to view the visualrepresentation of the event a given amount of time since the systemevent occurred. For instance, a user may click on Event 1 502, Event 2504, Event 3 506, or Event 4 508. After a user clicks on a given event,the infrastructure-monitory control system 102 may provide the visualrepresentation on display 210. The user may then analyze the visualrepresentation, and the user may utilize the various playback functionsas needed. In screen shot 500, the box icons of the various equipmentrepresent dynamic color-coded visual representations of the givenequipment. For example, the dynamic visual playback system may includecolor-coded visual representations of events for various equipment, suchas generators, transfer switches, protective relays, surge protection,networking equipment, HVAC, building management, flywheels, statictransfer switches, servers/virtual machines, CRAC units, powerdistribution units, paralleling gear, breakers, GPS receivers, powerquality meters, sequence recorders, load banks, firepump controllers,security, fire alarms, branch circuits, station batteries, and DCequipment. Other monitored equipment is possible as well.

In an example embodiment, the system may store the visual representationby storing data that the system 102 may then use to recreate orreproduce the visual representation. For example, the system 102 maystore a data file having data representative of the visualrepresentation, and the system 102 may also be configured to use thedata file to recreate the visual representation at a later time.

In other example embodiments, the visual representation is not acolor-coded visual representation. Rather, the visual representation maybe coded in another way in order to visually depict system eventsoccurring in the infrastructure system 100. Any suitable visualrepresentation is possible. For instance, the visual representation mayinclude graphical symbols that illustrate the system events and eventlevels. For instance, rather than colors such as green, yellow, and red,symbols such as a “+”, “−”, and “X” could be used to illustrate variouslevels of system events. Other symbols are possible as well. Further,other codes for visually depicting system events occurring in theinfrastructure system 100 are possible as well.

4. Example Benefits of the Disclosed Methods and Systems

As described above, the proposed methods and systems beneficiallyprovide an improved way for analyzing infrastructure system events agiven amount of time after the event has occurred. In particular, theproposed methods and systems provide dynamic visual playback for aninfrastructure-monitoring control system. Such dynamic visual playbackmay allow a user to analyze a visual representation of system eventsafter the events have occurred, which is an improvement over merelyallowing a user to analyze text-based files of standardinfrastructure-monitoring control system event logs. For these reasonsand the reasons described throughout the disclosure, the disclosedmethods and systems can help improve infrastructure-monitoring controlsystems and event analysis associated with those systems.

5. Conclusion

While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, otheraspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art.The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes ofillustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scopebeing indicated by the following claims, along with the full scope ofequivalents to which such claims are entitled. It is also to beunderstood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose ofdescribing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to belimiting.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for providing a visual representation ofsystem events occurring in a system monitored by aninfrastructure-monitoring control system, the method comprising:depicting, by the infrastructure-monitoring control system, a pluralityof items of equipment of the system and a plurality of power paths;providing, by the infrastructure-monitoring control system, insubstantially real-time, a visual representation of at least one systempower-quality event occurring in the system; storing, by theinfrastructure-monitoring control system, the visual representation inresponse to the infrastructure-monitoring control system detecting theat least one system power-quality event being of a given level thatprompts the infrastructure-monitoring control system to begin storingthe visual representation until the system returns to normal operation;and providing, by the infrastructure-monitoring control system, thestored visual representation after a given amount of time sinceoccurrence of the at least one system power-quality event.
 2. The methodof claim 1, wherein the infrastructure-monitoring control system ratessystem power-quality events on a scale having a plurality of eventlevels, and wherein the infrastructure-monitoring control systemassociates each event level with a given color, the method furthercomprising: the infrastructure-monitoring control system determining,for each of the at least one system power-quality event, an event levelof the system power-quality event, and wherein providing the visualrepresentation of the at least one system power-quality event comprises,for each of the at least one system power-quality event, depicting thesystem power-quality event with the given color associated with thedetermined event level of the system power-quality event.
 3. The methodof claim 1, wherein the given level of the at least one systempower-quality event is at least one of abnormal operation or emergencyoperation.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one systempower-quality event comprises a power-quality problem.
 5. The method ofclaim 4, wherein the power-quality problem is a power problem manifestedin at least one of voltage, current, or frequency deviations thatresults in at least one of reduction in expected life, disoperation, orfailure of system equipment.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein theinfrastructure-monitoring control system storing the visualrepresentation occurs in response to the infrastructure-monitoringcontrol system detecting a triggering event of the given level thatprompts the infrastructure-monitoring control system to store the visualrepresentation.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the triggering eventis an event that is associated with user-defined triggering level. 8.The method of claim 1, wherein each respective power path is between arespective item of equipment and one or more of the other items ofequipment, and wherein the visual representation comprises a visualrepresentation of the plurality of items of equipment and the pluralityof power paths that depicts the at least one system power-quality eventand propagation of the at least one system power-quality event throughthe system.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the given amount of timesince the at least one system power-quality event is at least an hourafter the at least one system power-quality event.
 10. A system,comprising: a memory; and a processing logic, operatively coupled to thememory, to: depict a plurality of items of equipment of a monitoredsystem and a plurality of power paths; provide in substantiallyreal-time, a visual representation of at least one system power-qualityevent occurring in the monitored system; store the visual representationin response to detecting the at least one system power-quality eventbeing of a given level that prompts the system to begin storing thevisual representation until the monitored system returns to normaloperation; and provide the stored visual representation after a givenamount of time since occurrence of the at least one system power-qualityevent.
 11. The system of claim 10, wherein the system rates systempower-quality events on a scale having a plurality of event levels, andwherein the system associates each event level with a given color, thesystem further comprising: the processing logic, operatively coupled tothe memory, to: determine, for each of the at least one systempower-quality event, an event level of the system power-quality event,and provide the visual representation of the at least one systempower-quality event with the given color associated with the determinedevent level of the system power-quality event.
 12. The system of claim10, wherein the given level of the at least one system power-qualityevent is at least one of abnormal operation or emergency operation. 13.The system of claim 10, wherein the at least one system power-qualityevent comprises a power-quality problem.
 14. The system of claim 13,wherein the power-quality problem is a power problem manifested in atleast one of voltage, current, or frequency deviations that results inat least one of reduction in expected life, disoperation, or failure ofmonitored system equipment.
 15. The system of claim 10, wherein storingthe visual representation occurs in response to detecting a triggeringevent of the given level that prompts storing the visual representation.16. The system of claim 15, wherein the triggering event is an eventthat is associated with user-defined triggering level.
 17. The system ofclaim 10, wherein each respective power path is between a respectiveitem of equipment and one or more other items of equipment, and whereinthe visual representation comprises a visual representation of theplurality of items of equipment and the plurality of power paths thatdepicts the at least one system power-quality event and propagation ofthe at least one system power-quality event through the monitoredsystem.
 18. An infrastructure-monitoring control system comprising: acommunication interface; a memory configured to store programinstructions; and a processor capable of executing the programinstructions to: provide, in substantially real-time, a visualrepresentation of at least one system power-quality event occurring in amonitored system; store the visual representation in response to theinfrastructure-monitoring control system detecting the at least onesystem power-quality event being of a given level that prompts theinfrastructure-monitoring control system to begin storing the visualrepresentation until the monitored system returns to normal operation;and provide the stored visual representation after a given amount oftime since occurrence of the at least one system power-quality event.19. The infrastructure-monitoring control system of claim 18, whereinthe given level of the at least one system power-quality event is atleast one of abnormal operation or emergency operation.
 20. Theinfrastructure-monitoring control system of claim 18, wherein the visualrepresentation depicts a plurality of items of equipment and a pluralityof power paths, wherein each respective power path is between arespective item of equipment and one or more other items of equipment,and wherein the visual representation further depicts the at least onesystem power-quality event and propagation of the at least one systempower-quality event through one or more of the items of equipment andone or more of the power paths.